HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Ordinance 2007-17CITY OF PLYMOUTH
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-17
ELECTRIC FRANCHISE ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO NORTHERN STATES POWER
COMPANY, A MINNESOTA CORPORATION, D/B/A XCEL ENERGY ITS
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION LINES IN THE CITY
OF PLYMOUTH, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA, INCLUDING NECESSARY
POLES, LINES, FIXTURES AND APPURTENANCES, FOR THE FURNISHING OF
ELECTRIC ENERGY TO THE CITY, ITS INHABITANTS, AND OTHERS, AND TO
USE THE PUBLIC WAYS AND PUBLIC GROUNDS OF THE CITY FOR SUCH
PURPOSES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Ordinance, the following capitalized terms listed in alphabetical order shall
have the following meanings:
City. The City of Plymouth, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota.
City Utility System. Facilities used for providing public utility service owned or operated by
City or agency thereof, including sanitary sewer, sewer, storm sewer, street lighting and traffic signals,
and water service, but excluding facilities for providing heating, lighting or other forms of energy.
Commission. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, or any successor agency or
agencies, including an agency of the federal government, which preempts all, or part of the authority to
regulate electric retail rates now vested in the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Company. Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation, d/b/a Xcel Energy its
successors and assigns.
Electric Facilities. Electric transmission and distribution towers, poles, lines, guys, anchors,
conduits, fixtures, and necessary appurtenances owned or operated by Company for the purpose of
providing electric energy for public use.
Notice. A written notice served by one party on the other party referencing one or more
provisions of this Ordinance. Notice to Company shall be mailed to the General Counsel, 414
Nicollet Mall, 5`h Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Notice to the City shall be mailed to the City
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Manager, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, Plymouth, MN 55447-1448. Either party may change its
respective address for the purpose of this Ordinance by written notice to the other party.
Public Ground. Land owned by the City for park, open space or similar purpose, which is
held for use in common by the public.
Public Way. Any street, alley, walkway or other public right-of-way within the City.
SECTION 2. ADOPTION OF FRANCHISE.
2.1 Grant of Franchise. City hereby grants Company, for a period of 20 'years from the
date passed and approved by the City, the non-exclusive right to transmit and furnish electric energy for
light, heat, power and other purposes for public and private use within and through the limits of the
City as its boundaries now exist or as they may be extended in the future. For these purposes,
Company may construct, operate, repair and maintain Electric Facilities in, on, over, under and across
the Public Ways and Public Grounds of City, subject to the provisions of this franchise. Company may
do all reasonable things necessary or customary to accomplish these purposes, subject, however, to such
reasonable regulations as may be imposed by the City pursuant to ordinance and to the further
provisions of this franchise.
2.2 Franchise Fee. The City reserves all rights under Minn. Stat. §§ 216B.36 and 301B.01
to require a franchise fee at any time during the term of this ordinance. If the City elects to require a
franchise fee it shall notify Company and negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable fee
schedule. The fee shall be set forth in a separate ordinance and not adopted until at least sixty (60)
days after notice enclosing such proposed ordinance has been served upon the Company by certified
mail. If the City and Company are unable to agree on a franchise fee or on any terms related
thereto, including but not limited to the requirement of concurrent permit fees to defray costs of
utility operations, each hereby consents to the jurisdiction of State District Court, Hennepin County,
to construe their respective rights under the law, subject to all rights of appeal. City and Company
expressly reserve all rights and arguments concerning franchise fees and related issues and this
paragraph is not intended, and shall not be construed, as a waiver of any such rights or arguments.
2.3 Service and Rates. The service to be provided and the rates to be charged by Company
for electric service in City are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. The area within the City in
which Company may provide electric service is subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section
216B.40.
2.4 Publication Expense. The expense of publication of this Ordinance will be paid by City
and reimbursed to City by Company.
2.5 Dispute Resolution. If either party asserts that the other party is in default in the
performance of any obligation hereunder, the complaining party shall notify the other party of the
default and the desired remedy. The notification shall be written. Representatives of the parties must
promptly meet and attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the dispute. If the dispute is not
resolved within 30 days of the written notice, the parties may jointly select a mediator to facilitate
further discussion. The parties will equally share the fees and expenses of this mediator. If a mediator
is not used or if the parties are unable to resolve the dispute within 30 days after first meeting with the
selected mediator, either party may commence an action in District Court to interpret and enforce this
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franchise or for such other relief as may be permitted by law or equity for breach of contract, or either
party may take any other action permitted by law.
SECTION 3. LOCATION, OTHER REGULATIONS.
3.1 Location of Facilities. Electric Facilities shall be located, constructed and maintained so
as not to interfere with the safety and convenience of ordinary travel along and over Public Ways and so
as not to disrupt normal operation of any City Utility System previously installed therein. Electric
Facilities shall be located on Public Grounds as determined by the City. Company's construction,
reconstruction, operation, repair, maintenance and location of Electric Facilities shall be subject to
permits if required by separate ordinance and to other reasonable regulations of the City to the extent
not inconsistent with the terms of this franchise agreement. Company may abandon underground
Electric Facilities in place, provided at the City's request, Company will remove abandoned metal or
concrete encased conduit interfering with a City improvement project, but only to the extent such
conduit is uncovered by excavation as part of the City improvement project.
3.2 Field Locations and Mapping Information. Company shallprovide field locations for
its underground Electric Facilities within City consistent with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes,
Chapter 216D. Company shall provide accurate and current mapping information for any of its
Electric Facilities in accordance with Minnesota Rules Parts 7819.4000 and 7819.4100 and other
applicable state and federal laws.
3.3 Street Openings. Company shall not open or disturb any Public Way or Public Ground
for any purpose without first having obtained a permit from the City, if required by a separate
ordinance, for which the City may impose a reasonable fee. Permit conditions imposed on Company
shall not be more burdensome than those imposed on other utilities for similar facilities or work.
Company may, however, open and disturb any Public Way or Public Ground without permission from
the City where an emergency exists requiring the immediate repair of Electric Facilities. In such event
Company shall notify the City by telephone to the office designated by the City as soon as practicable.
Not later than the second working day thereafter, Company shall obtain any required permits and pay
any required fees.
3.4 Restoration. After undertaking any work requiring the opening of any Public Way or
Public Ground, Company shall restore the same, including paving and its foundation, in accordance
with Minnesota Rules Part 7819.11001 to as good a condition as formerly existed, and shall maintain any
paved surface in good condition for two years thereafter. The work shall be completed as promptly as
weather permits, and if Company shall not promptly perform and complete the work, remove all dirt,
rubbish, equipment and material, and put the Public Way or Public Ground in the said condition, the
City shall have, after demand to Company to cure and the passage of a reasonable period of time
following the demand, but not to exceed five days, the right to make the restoration at the expense of
Company. Company shall pay to the City the cost of such work done for or performed by the City.
This remedy shall be in addition to any other remedy available to the City for noncompliance with this
Section 3.4
3.5 avoid Damage to Electric Facilities. Nothing in this Ordinance relieves any person
from liability arising out of the failure to exercise reasonable care to avoid damaging Electric Facilities
while performing any activity.
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3.6 Notice of Improvements. The City must give Company reasonable notice of plans for
improvements to Public Ways or Public Ground where the City has reason to believe that Electric
Facilities may affect or be affected by the improvement. The notice must contain: (i) the nature and
character of the improvements, (ii) the Public Ways and Public Grounds upon which the improvements
are to be made, (iii) the extent of the improvements, (iv) the time when the City will start the work, and
(v) if more than one Public Way or Public Ground is involved, the order in which the work is to
proceed. The notice must be given to Company a sufficient length of time in advance of the actual
commencement of the work to permit Company to make any necessary additions, alterations or repairs
to its Electric Facilities.
3.7 Shared Use of Poles. Company shall make space available on its poles or towers for
City fire, water utility, police, or other City facilities, whenever such use will not interfere with the use of
such poles or towers by Company, by another electric utility, by a telephone utility, or by any cable
television company or other form of communication company. In addition, the City shall pay for any
added cost incurred by Company because of such use by City.
SECTION 4. RELOCATIONS.
4.1 Relocation of Electric Facilities in Public Ways. Company shall comply with the
requirements of Minnesota Rules, Part 7819.3100 and applicable law relating to relocation of
Electric Facilities in Public Ways.
4.2 Relocation of Electric Facilities in Public Ground. City may require Company at
Company's expense to relocate or remove its Electric Facilities from Public Ground upon a finding by
City that the Electric Facilities have become or will become a substantial impairment to the existing or
proposed public use of the Public Ground.
4.3 Projects with Federal Funding. Relocation, removal, or rearrangement of any Company
Electric Facilities made necessary because of the extension into or through City of a federally -aided
highway project shall be governed by the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 161.46, as
supplemented or amended. It is understood that the right herein granted to company is a valuable
right. City shall not order Company to remove or relocate its Electric Facilities when a Public Way is
vacated, improved or realigned because of a renewal or a redevelopment plan which is financially
subsidized in whole or in part by the Federal Government or any agency thereof, unless the reasonable
non -betterment costs of such relocation and the loss and expense resulting therefrom are first paid to
Company, but the City need not pay those portions of such for which reimbursement to it is not
available.
4.4 No Waiver. The provisions of this franchise apply only to facilities constructed in
reliance on a franchise from the City and shall not be construed to waive or modify any rights obtained
by Company for installations within a Company right-of-way acquired by easement or prescriptive right
before the applicable Public Way or Public Ground was established, or Company's rights under state or
county permit.
SECTION 5. TREE TRIMMING.
Company may trim all trees and shrubs in the Public Ways and Public Grounds of City to the
extent Company finds necessary to avoid interference with the proper construction, operation, repair
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and maintenance of any Electric Facilities installed hereunder, provided that Company shall save the
City harmless from any liability arising therefrom, and subject to permit or other reasonable regulation
by the City.
SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION.
6.1 Indemnity of City. Company shallindemnify, keep and hold the City free and harmless
from any and all liability on account of injury to persons or damage to property occasioned by the
construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, the issuance of permits, or the operation of the Electric
Facilities located in the Public Ways and Public Grounds. The City shall not be indemnified for losses
or claims occasioned through its own negligence except for losses or claims arising out of or alleging the
City's negligence as to the issuance of permits for, or inspection of, Company's plans or work. The City
shall not be indemnified if the injury or damage results from the performance in a proper manner of
acts reasonably deemed hazardous by Company, and such performance is nevertheless ordered or
directed by City after notice of Company's determination.
6.2 Defense of Citv. In the event a suit is brought against the City under circumstances
where this agreement to indemnify applies, Company at its sole cost and expense shall defend the City
in such suit if written notice thereof is promptly given to Company within a period wherein Company is
not prejudiced by lack of such notice. If Company is required to indemnify and defend, it will
thereafter have control of such litigation, but Company may not settle such litigation without the
consent of the City, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This section is not, as to third
parties, a waiver of any defense or immunity otherwise available to the City; and Company, in defending
any action on behalf of the City shall be entitled to assert in any action every defense or immunity that
the City could assert in its own behalf This franchise shall not be interpreted to constitute a waiver by
the City of any of its defenses of immunity or limitations on liability under Minnesota Statutes Chapter
466.
SECTION 7. VACATION OF PUBLIC WAYS.
The City- shallgive Company at least two weeks prior written notice of a proposed vacation of a
Public Way. Except where required for a City improvement project, the vacation of any Public Way,
after the installation of Electric Facilities, shall not operate to deprive company of its rights to
operate and maintain such Electric Facilities, until the reasonable cost of relocating the same and the
loss and expense resulting from such relocation is first paid to Company. In no case, however, shall
City be liable to Company for failure to specifically preserve a right-of-way under Minnesota
Statutes, Section 160.29.
SECTION 8. CHANGE IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
Any change in the form of government of the City shall not affect the validity of this
Ordinance. Any governmental unit succeeding the City shall, without the consent of Company,
succeed to all of the rights and obligations of the City provided in this Ordinance.
SECTION 9 PROVISIONS OF ORDINANCE.
9.1 Severability. Every section, provision, or part of this Ordinance is declared separate
from every other section, provision, or part; and if any section, provision, or part shall be held
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invalid, it shall not affect any other section, provision, or part. Where a provision of any other City
ordinance conflicts with the provisions of this Ordinance, the provisions of this Ordinance shall
prevail.
9.2 Limitation on Applicability. This Ordinance constitutes a franchise agreement
between the City and Company as the only parties and no provision of this franchise shall in any
way inure to the benefit of any third person (including the public at large) so as to constitute any
such person as a third party beneficiary of the franchise or of any one or more of the terms hereof,
or otherwise give rise to any cause of action in any person not a party hereto.
SECTION 10. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE.
Either party to this franchise agreement may at any time propose that the agreement be
amended to address a subject of concern and the other party will consider whether it agrees that the
amendment is mutually appropriate. If an amendment is agreed upon, this Ordinance may be
amended at any time by the_ City passing a subsequent ordinance declaring the provisions of the
amendment, which amendatory ordinance shall become effective upon the filing of Company's
written consent thereto with the City Clerk within 90 days after the date of final passage by the City
of the amendatory ordinance.
SECTION 11. PREVIOUS FRANCHISES SUPERSEDED.
This franchise supersedes any previous electric franchise granted to Company or its
predecessor.
SECTION 12. EFFECTIVE DATE; WRITTEN ACCEPTANCE.
This franchise shall be in force and effect from and after passage of this Ordinance, its
acceptance by Company, and its publication as required by law. The City Council may revoke this
franchise if Company does not file a written acceptance with the City within 90 days after publication.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Plymouth, Minnesota this /&It day of
2007.
Kelli Slavik, Mayor
A ST:
j"4&06&b
andra Engdahl, City gerk
Date Published: / —P "6 7
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